Scott Takes Command of Universities

Sunday

Jan 13, 2013 at 12:38 AM

Gov. Rick Scott sent a geographic message to Floridians last week: He's in charge of the State University System.

By Lloyd Dunkelberger

Gov. Rick Scott sent a geographic message to Floridians last week: He's in charge of the State University System.In announcing five new appointments to the University System's Board of Governors, Scott selected three members who also happened to be from his hometown of Naples in Southwest Florida.The Naples appointees included Alan Levine, a hospital-company executive and former secretary of health in Louisiana; Ned Lautenbach, a retired IBM executive; and Ed Morton, another former health care executive. Scott also appointed Harry Wayne Huizenga of Delray Beach and Wendy Sartory Link of Palm Beach Gardens.Scott has previously made three other appointments to the 17-member board. When he shortly decides on the seat now held by Norman Tripp, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer, he will have appointed a majority of the university panel.That Scott majority will have consequences for the higher education system in Florida. You can expect the reshaped board to more closely follow Scott's edicts on limiting tuition increases and linking university degrees with Florida's job market.Scott was irked last year when the BOG approved double-digit tuition hikes for 11 of Florida's 12 universities, ranging up to 15 percent. The University of Florida was the remaining school with a 9 percent increase.Scott described himself as "disappointed" after that vote last June."Tuition rates have risen 71 percent over the past four years and graduates are facing unprecedented levels of debt. We can't continue on this path," said Scott, who often refers to the role an affordable education played in his life, helping him become a lawyer and then a successful health care executive.But the pressure will remain for tuition increases because state funding for the system has decreased dramatically in recent years — including a $300 million cut in the current budget.University officials have offset some of those cuts through the tuition increases — which are limited by state law to 15 percent a year.In addition to tuition, Scott's influence on the new Board of Governors will be seen in his efforts to refocus the system on degrees that he believes are more critical for Florida's future, including science, technology, math and engineering fields.

WINNER OF THE WEEKFlorida schools. The state's public schools have returned to the top 10 in Education Week's national ranking, securing sixth place among the states. The rating is an improvement over last year, when the schools fell in the ranking from fifth place to 11th place.

LOSER OF THE WEEKHealth care estimates. The state Agency for Health Care Administration dramatically revised its estimated cost for expanding Medicaid coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. The original estimate of $26 billion — which Gov. Rick Scott used in a meeting with federal officials — was revised down to $3 billion, although officials say much uncertainty remains.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK"Growing government, it's never free," Gov. Rick Scott told reporters after meeting with federal officials about the cost of implementing the Affordable Care Act in the state.